Lost between NHS and private - Help!

[homerine]

Hello, I am a new mumsnetter. I am a French woman who live in London (West Kensington / Fulham). I am pregnant of my first child (a boy) planned for July 2009 in C&W private maternity. I am under Hazem El-Rafaey and the insurance of my DP should hopefully cover these costs (very expensive ones! ).

But I do not understand the system between private and NHS. For instance, I know that you can have free dental care and medicine when you are pregnant here but is it the case when you have a private ante-natal care? How to obtain the form to claim Maternity allowance? When you are delivered on a private basis, how works the post natal care (midwife and health visitor at home), NHS or private?

Many thanks in advance for your clarifications.I am quite lost between these both systems !!!

Not quite the same situation as I'm booked with an Independent Midwife, but as I understand it, you are still entitled to the 'free' NHS care.

Maternity Allowance - there's a form on the internet on the direct gov site.

I think that however you deliver your baby, they will assign you a health visitor. Not sure how the midwifery post-natal care works - for me, my independent midwife comes out to me (part of why I booked - many more visits than the NHS provide)

Thank you very much craftynclothy for your advice, very helpful! I don't know how to be registered for free NHS care? With my GP?

Your choice to book with an Independent Midwife seems to be very attractive. Could you give more information (cost, how it works with NHS, for your delivery)? perhaps it will be a solution for my next baby!

Hi there, I had my DS at the Portland and they got in touch with the community midwives on my discharge, I was still officially under the care of my consultant until my 6 week check which was performed by my consultant. That is usually the case with private deliveries. I was also given the forms at the hospital for dental work etc or you could ask your community midwife who will be based at your GPs.

Hi, many many thanks Bellasmama for these precious details! I will try to obtain the dental form during my next appointment with the consultant at the hospital! And I am a little bit reassured with the post-natal care now as I know that we generally stay one night in the maternity after the birth!